October: reading, watching, listening, etc.
There’s something in this eclectic mix for everyone!
This month, I really got back into my groove with a few things. One: I somehow found the balance between watching TV and reading and didn’t have to sacrifice either. Two: my running is finally back to feeling good AND easy – that was, until I fell over a little under two kilometres into my long run last Monday and then had to take a week off. Nevertheless, I’m taking the wins and running with them – literally.
I also spent a weekend away nestled between the sea and the vineyards with my girlies, sipping spritzes and watching Meghan Markle on Netflix. I highly recommend an escape with your best gals before we enter the busy period of the year.
As we approach the festive season, I will admit I have already purchased a handful of Christmas ornaments and done more than half my present shopping. Some people call me crazy, but I prefer to think of it as organised. This month, I’m looking forward to catching up with friends in town for work, celebrating birthdays and listening to Lady Gaga’s discography on repeat in preparation for her tour in December. And, giving my nails a break from gel manicure’s in the lead up to the holiday period where, of course, my nails need to be done because HEAVEN FORBID unmanicured nails appear at Christmas parties, dinners or the Test Match.
What have you been enjoying this month and are looking forward to next month?
Reading - Books:
Night People by Mark Ronson – If it wasn’t obvious enough in last month’s round up, I was very excited to grab a copy of Night People, which didn’t let me down. Reflecting on his time DJing in the 90s in New York and his star-studded childhood in the most self-effacing way, the memoir takes you along for the ride, behind the DJ booth with Mark and the taxi’s home with all his records in tow. Perhaps not the desired effect, but it did make me want to time travel back to this era, even if only for a night.
Beauty by Andy Warhol – A short essay I purchased while we were in Utrecht, I finally read Beauty by Andy Warhol. You can read it in an evening it’s that short. I found myself reading it in Andy’s monotone voice, enjoying his anecdotes and observations on Beauty, Sex and Work. He got it.
The Eyes of Gaza by Plestia Alaquad – A harrowing account of life in Gaza since October 7 2023. Plestia, a well known journalist, takes you inside the region under siege, where she feels compelled to keep pushing on as a journalist to show the world what is happening in Gaza. A piece that you won’t be able to put down and stops you in your tracks.
The Shortest History of France by Colin Jones – Much like last month’s read, The Shortest History of Italy, the French edition of this series was equally as easy to follow along and packed with essential knowledge of the nation. In fact, in a recent quiz with some friends, I was able to flex knowledge acquired from this very book. That’s what it’s all for, right?!
According to G by Geraint Thomas – The fourth book by Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas, this is the most personal of them all. Interwoven with his experiences at stages of bike races throughout his career he threads personal accounts of his mentality at the time, his family and how he became the person and rider he is today. Reading about stage 20 of the 2023 Giro d’Italia really kicks you in the guts as a fan.
Gwyneth by Amy Odell (started, not finished, come back next month!) – So far, so good!
Reading – Articles:
British Vogue
Gwyneth’s Second Coming: “I’m Much Easier On Myself, I Would Say” by Giles Hattersley
You simply have to read this interview. It’s marvellous and Gwyneth at her best. My favourite podcast proclaimed Giles should “win a Pulitzer” for this. The chat about Odell’s book made me shiver for her, though.
The Cut
Pierpaolo Piccioli on Meghan Markle, the New Sack Dress, and His Balenciaga Debut by Alina Cho
Pierpaolo is generous in this piece, chatting about why Balenciaga and how he’s making it his own. He also discusses his relationship with Meghan Markle, which Australian tabloids completely took out of context. Read the real thing instead.
The New Yorker
A Tech Millionaire’s Costly Quest to Prove His Brother Was Murdered by Eren Orbey
A riveting, undulating read that I have since sent to four people and had IRL discussions about. I don’t want to spoil anything but file this as your long read of the week.
Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry’s Teen-Age Dream by Naomi Fry
Unfortunately I am utterly obsessed with Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau’s romance, which seemed to be officially confirmed this week. What a pairing! I have so many questions, namely, how did you meet and what do you talk about?
Listening:
West End Girl by Lily Allen – Lily Allen HAAAAAAAATES her ex-husband. And you know what, so do I now! That is how raw, emotional and evocative West End Girl is. People are calling it White Lady Lemonade after Beyonce’s seminal album, and they aren’t far off the mark. Listen with caution. Straight men need not add to playlists.
Fashion People by Lauren Sherman – Specifically the episodes with Marissa Meltzer and Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill. Marissa speaks of her memoir of Jane Birkin, which has released this month, and the research and effort that went into the piece, alongside the infectious banter she and Lauren organically have. In the episode with Laura and Kristina, the pair are raw about their firing incidents in the industry and how this has culminated in their book, All The Cool Girls Get Fired. What I have been enjoying about this podcast is how at-ease Lauren makes her guests feel and how real she is herself. Definitely one I’ll be tuning into regularly from here on out.
The Strokes – From my balcony last Saturday, I listened to the Strokes sing all the songs of my university days. Performing an outdoor concert nearby, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for sticky floors and vodka sunrises while dancing to You Only Live Once. You never realise it’s the last time you’ll be on the dancefloor with your three best friends on a Friday evening without a care in the world beyond getting to your shitty retail job by 9am tomorrow and what reading you must do for your course next week.
Watching:
Victoria Beckham – This documentary really made me think about all the lies I had been told as a child that shaped my opinion of Victoria Beckham in such an ill-informed way. My Mum and all the women I grew up with had this perception of her as a fake bitch who was married to a soccer player. I didn’t even know who the Spice Girls were until I was eight-years-old and I thought it was weird that SHE was in this band. Tabloids and the media at large owe her such an apology for how she was painted. This documentary shows the hard work she has put in and also what a genuine person she is. I want to be friends with her – sipping martini’s with VB would be a hoot!
The Sex and the City Movies – Finished the series, onto the films, dare I say onto And Just Like That next? Don’t know if I can do that to myself again. The scene in the second film where Lily slaps her painted hands onto Charlottes’ vintage Valentino skirt makes me squirm. But also, the fact Charlotte is wearing a CREAM vintage Valentino skirt to make cupcakes is just a tad insane, is it not?! And that’s why we love the girls.
Curb Your Enthusiasm – We’ve gotten back on the Curb train this month. A personal favourite episode of mine is Trick or Treat, a Halloween episode that is anything but your standard. Laughs aplenty!
The Last King of Savoy/The King Who Never Was – A documentary that had been on my list on Netflix for at least a year, one evening when I was bookless, I finally watched The King Who Never Was. I had no idea what I was going into and knew nothing of what the documentary covered until I was watching, so imagine my edge-of-my-seat reaction to the death of young man Dirk Hamer on the island of Cavallo when Vittorio Emmanuele was out there with a shotgun, annoyed at the presence of the youth on his island. Binged the three-part series in one evening. One for both true crime and history buffs.
Lusting:
These Zimmermann glasses – Do I need these? Are they too big for my face? Do I care if they are?
curb will never not delight me. always a fun rewatch! the entire satc franchise too.
also: i can't wait to read that gwyneth feature! i just finished odell's bio and yea...it didn't paint her in the best light, but a fascinating read nonetheless.
Been dying to read Eyes of Gaza!